Israel’s 26th Knesset was sworn in on Tuesday, November 10, without a new government, as former army chief Gadi Eisenkot is trying to form one after Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc lost its majority in an October 27 election with no clear result.
All 120 lawmakers swore their oaths. President Isaac Herzog urged them to find compromises and avoid another vote. Netanyahu’s alliance, led by Likud, has 53 seats, while Eisenkot’s camp has 48.
Arab-led parties hold the remaining 19 seats, so neither side has the 61 seats needed for a majority. Herzog gave Eisenkot the first chance to form a government on Sunday. He set an initial deadline of December 6, with a possible extension to December 20.
Eisenkot has not yet secured the agreements he needs. His possible options include relying on support from Arab parties, seeking support from ultra-Orthodox groups, or making a unity deal with Netanyahu. All of these options are difficult.
Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed. In the meantime, the new parliament could advance proposals for an inquiry into the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. It could also advance proposals to change the Knesset’s leadership.
If neither rival can bring together enough parties to form a government, Israel could face another election.